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How to Use the Visualizer

You will need a Java-enabled web browser to run the visualizer.
Pressing the button above provides a "Control Panel" window. Using the
Control Panel, one can select or deselect parameters, and request color
data maps with their choices.

The Control Panel provides the following options:

Resolution: Users can "Change Resolution" from the top menu bar.
This affects the number of data points available on the map. The larger the
grid size, the coarser the map's resolution.

Window: This menu option provides easy access between multiple
windows, if open concurrently.

Satellites: You can choose one or a combination of two or all
three satellites. Not all satellites provide all years and months of data. To
select a satellite, click on its name. To deselect, click on its name again.

Year and Month: The Year and Month boxes display the years
and months for which the data is available for your choice of satellite(s).
As you select satellites, the lists of years and months update dynamically.
Select a year/month by clicking on it. Use the scroll bar in the small
boxes to scroll down the list.

Variables: Select one or more variables from the list and click
on the "Go get data..." button to request visualizations. Each selected
variable will appear in its own window.

Each Visualization window provides the following options:

Data Map: You can obtain the data value at each point on the map
by clicking on it. You can also select an area by clicking, holding down,
and dragging your mouse. If you have more than one visualization open,
your mouse clicks and selected points are reflected in all of the maps.

Selections: This menu allows you to select the entire map, or
extract a selected area into a separate window for a closer look. So, for
example, you can select North America, and then click on Selections >
Extract Region, and you would get a new window with just that portion of
the map.

Data Tools: Allows calculation of average of selected points/area
on the map. You can also switch on/off coordinates of your selection.